Breaking down the Premier League fixtures, including Arsenal's nightmare start

Liverpool's title defense goes through a tough finish

While Arsenal has a tough start, Liverpool has a difficult finish to the season. In the final two months of the season, Liverpool must visit Everton, Manchester United and Aston Villa, along with a home match against Chelsea.

What Liverpool does in the preceding months will determine just how stressful the last few months are.

Circle Sept. 20 on the calendar

Sept. 20 is one of those matchdays where the soccer gods smile down upon us and give us a gift. Arsenal and Manchester City will square off for the first time, while Manchester United welcomes Chelsea to Old Trafford. Liverpool and Everton link up at Anfield for the first edition of the Merseyside Derby.

It should be a fun day no doubt, but also a day early in the season that tells us how each club measures up.

Keep an eye on Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest nearly pulled off a Champions League invite last season, ultimately finishing seventh and four points out of fourth. Was it a fluke, or is Forest here to stay?

The schedule should be kind to Forest in the early going. Only one of its first six matches is against a club that finished better than 10th, and it includes two newly promoted teams. A hot start could be the catalyst for another strong season.

What to make of Tottenham?

Tottenham won the Europa League, but it was not enough for manager Ange Postecoglou. He was sacked in favor of former Brentford boss Thomas Frank. 

The leap from Brentford to Tottenham comes with added pressure, and questions surround the club. Frank has an opportunity to start on the right foot with an opening match against Burnley. Matchweek 2 presents a test in Manchester City, but the Spurs' next five matches are against teams that finished outside the top six last season.

After a woeful 17th-place finish last season, a hot start would cool tempers around the club.